All dogs bark, right? Yes, but some dogs are much quieter than their peers. Some dogs are alert and bark at a leaf blowing in the wind. Of course, most pet parents—especially those who actively sought a watchdog—expect their dog to bark and alert them to something amiss on the property.
If a family lives on a rural property, they often choose a dog that will let them know when strangers come on the property. Even in smaller planned communities, we people with dogs like knowing that our canine companions will alert us to visitors. However, those who live in apartments or in close proximity to our neighbors understand that a dog that tends to bark a lot can cause issues between ourselves and others. No one wants to be awakened at 3 AM by a barking pooch. This is especially true if the dog is simply barking to bark (if you’ve ever had a Beagle, you understand this is something they tend to do).
There are many reasons to seek out a more quiet dog. Even some pet parents who love dogs do not appreciate incessant barking—some even resort to using bark collars. (Again, Beagles come to mind here.) Plus, if you have someone over for a visit, it can be rather embarrassing for your canine companion to bark over and over and over again. There are dog breeds—particularly small breeds—that bark simply because they’re excited. This can be endearing every once in a while, but it can be annoying when hosting a family event and Fido just can’t seem to hush.
You might be surprised to learn that some dogs were bred for frequency and noise level of barking. A 2010 study showed that breeds considered to be more akin to wolves tend to bark less. However, scientists have also found that dogs’ genetics affect how loudly they bark as well.
So, are there breeds that bark very little or not at all? Yes! Let’s take a look at these very quiet dogs.
Article Summary
The Bernese Mountain Dog
Although the Bernese Mountain Dog is an avid watchdog, he rarely barks. The Bernese Mountain Dog is one that was developed for working (chiefly, herding and care-taking) in the Swiss Alps. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a larger dog, and anecdotal pet parent reports show that the Bernese Mountain Dog will defend its family if he feels threatened by a stranger. However, as a quiet dog breed, it will not bark a great deal.
The Bernese Mountain Dog is known to be very laid-back. They don’t show a lot of excitement, and they tend to choose one person within the family unit with whom to bond. Again, the Bernese Mountain Dog is very easygoing, but the breed is not known for barking.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
This quiet dog breed is really a small dog. They prefer to spend time in their owner’s lap to hours of exercise. In fact, it is their laid-back personality that leads to this being a quiet dog.
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will bark, but overall, they tend to be very quiet. They are small and prefer to nap and snuggle rather than to bark incessantly.
The Pug
Like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, the Pug is a laid-back dog that would much rather eat, nap, and hang out with its pet parent than run, play, and bark. Typically, the Pug will only bark when very hungry or if he feels threatened.
The Great Dane
Great Danes are huge dogs that are really just big babies. They will retreat from dangerous situations, and they are very intelligent, too. Although the Great Dane has one of the strongest and loudest barks of all dog breeds, you will rarely hear it.
The Great Dane is very loving; they forget just how large they are. They would rather lounge on the couch with pet parents than they would run and play. They are very calm, and this laid-back disposition is likely one reason they aren’t much for barking.
The Basenji
The Basenji has been labeled as the “non-barking” dog or a “barkless” dog, and, that’s because the dog literally doesn’t know how to. Instead, the Basenji—one of the breeds considered genetically very close to the wolf—lets out what sounds more like someone yodeling [1].
Even though the Basenji can “yodel” – which is probably much closer to the howl of its wolf ancestors, they still do this rarely. Overall, the Basenji is a very quiet dog that doesn’t use the bark to warn a potential threat to back away. Instead, the Basenji will face threats head-on.
The Basenji is extremely intelligent, and they need a great deal of exercise or other activity in order to be a happy, healthy dog. The Basenji doesn’t make a good apartment dwelling dog unless pet parents are prepared to provide a great deal of exercise or “brainy” dog toys that can keep him occupied.
The Whippet
Although most will believe the Whippet is an energetic dog, the breed is actually happy to keep to itself. You’ll often find a Whippet lying around on a dog bed or quietly maneuvering its living quarters without disturbing a soul. The Whippet is not a breed that wants or needs a lot of attention. They are highly docile, and they won’t typically suffer from separation anxiety.
If you’re looking for a dog that is great for apartment complex living, the Whippet is an excellent choice like other quiet dog breeds.
The Borzoi
The Borzoi shares much of the same personality traits as the Whippet. They are very quick, agile dogs that aren’t fazed by the presence of a stranger.
These dogs were developed by Russian hunters as sighthounds. They were utilized by Czars in hunting expeditions. They are laid-back, but they need a certain amount of daily activity to be happy. Much like the Basenji, they are highly intelligent and can become bored if left alone for long periods of time with no exercise.
The Borzoi can be a good apartment dwelling dog, and, even if they aren’t provided optimal exercise opportunities every day, they will not bark incessantly to let you know they are bored. However, if you choose a Borzoi, allow around two thirty-minute walks per day in order to keep the Borzoi content and healthy.
The Chinese Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei is chiefly known for its adorable wrinkles. However, you might be surprised to find that the Shar-Pei is one of the more quiet breeds available.
Keep in mind, however, the Shar-Pei is usually a one-person dog. They are extremely protective of their “person,” and they may physically attempt to protect that person. Just because the Shar-Pei doesn’t bark often doesn’t mean he won’t physically protect those he loves.
This is in part to the development of the breed in ancient China. The Shar-Pei was bred to be alert and to be a watchdog. In fact, when the Shar-Pei does bark, it is to alert its owner to his own emotions. The Shar-Pei will often only bark if it feels threatened or over-stimulated.
The Collie
Most people see a Collie and think of “Lassie,” the iconic Collie dog. Collies are extremely intelligent and highly energetic. This is because they were bred to herd and protect livestock.
You’ll need to provide Collie with a moderate amount of exercise in order to keep him happy and healthy. They are very obedient and could also be described as polite. They do enjoy curling up with their pet parents, and it is recommended that you spend quality time each day with your Collie. However, when you have to be away at work, provide your Collie with mental activity toys that can offer him a means of exercising his brain.
The Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound is the fastest dog breed, and it is also one of the quietest dogs. The Italian Greyhound can get over-stimulated, especially if pet parents don’t provide an adequate amount of exercise.
Many Italian Greyhounds end up in shelters, and those looking for a quiet apartment dog might overlook this medium-sized dog. However, that’s a mistake because the Italian Greyhound makes a great inside dog—he’s quiet and he’s actually quite laid-back. The Italian Greyhound actually would rather be in a quiet home with very little noise and no other dogs.
The Newfoundland
Although Newfoundland is a rather large dog, he is also very quiet. He is laid-back and is typically very non-aggressive. Often compared to a bear, Newfoundland enjoys cuddling with its pet parents.
The Newfoundland is a quiet dog, and he typically likes a quiet environment too. He is friendly and protective, however. The most important thing to remember when considering adopting a Newfoundland is that he will need some regular grooming in order to prevent the matting and tangling of his fur.
The Saint Bernard
Saint Bernard is a giant breed dog that can look menacing; however, looks can be deceiving. This gentle giant has been utilized as a working dog for centuries, particularly in life-saving missions.
The one thing potential pet parents should note regarding Saint Bernard is, yes, he is typically quiet; however, Saint Bernard can bark uncharacteristically when several strangers are present. The best way to prevent this is to socialize your Saint Bernard when she is young so that she doesn’t become over-stimulated around strangers and act out by “nuisance” barking.
The Saluki
Like the Borzoi, the Saluki is a sighthound that tends to be rather quiet. The Saluki is a great hunter, and she possesses silky hair over her body.
The Saluki is a very reserved dog—like the Whippet—that wants to keep to herself. They are very affectionate, but the Saluki is also quite polite and isn’t given to nuisance barking.
If the Saluki does bark, you can be guaranteed that there is a reason for this uncharacteristic behavior.
The Irish Setter
This beautiful, long-haired red dog is also one of the quietest dog breeds. The Irish Setter is a gun dog, but he is also a great family dog. He is consistently gentle with children, and he is highly affectionate.
You will need to provide this breed with a great deal of exercise every day. A brisk walk at least twice a day (three times is even better) will help the Irish Setter to be happy and healthy. If you are not able to provide that amount of exercise, give Fido a lot of chew toys or “mental” activity toys that can keep him occupied. It is also important to remember that the silky red hair of the Irish Setter will require a great deal of grooming as well.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgebacks were developed as guard dogs in South Africa. Even though they were bred for protecting herds from lions and other predators, they are a very quiet breed that rarely barks. Their genetic makeup makes them not only quiet dogs but also dogs that are highly protective. Most of the time, if the Rhodesian Ridgeback perceives a threat to its owner, it will place itself between its owner and the threat—all while making not one sound.
The Golden Retriever
The Golden Retriever is a breed that is highly dependent upon a positive relationship with its family. In fact, the hunters who developed the Golden Retriever bred the dog so that it would be highly attentive to its handler. These genetics are still with the Golden, and loyalty is a chief personality characteristic of the breed.
The Golden Retriever will bark from time to time, but they are typically a well-mannered dog that simply wants to please its human family like other calm dog breeds. You can work on this dog from the time it is young to teach him barking is inappropriate, and, as he grows older, you can simply command him to be quiet and stop any unnecessary barking.
The Bullmastiff
Like other large dogs that are laid-back and highly loyal to their humans, the Bullmastiff is not a dog given to unnecessary barking. In fact, they don’t really need to bark; they are so large that their sheer size merely intimidates potential predators.
Keep in mind that the Bullmastiff may bark if another dog comes on its territory, and Bullmastiffs will bark at cats. Prevent this by raising the Bullmastiff around other dogs and cats.
FAQs
1. What is the quietest dog to have?
The Basenji is perhaps the quietest breed available. It is known as a dog that doesn’t bark.
2. What breed of dog barks the least?
The Bernese Mountain Dog, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, and the Shar-Pei are all dogs that rarely bark.
